Little Fighter: Calm Before the Storm

[Divisor]

Henry

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Henry entered the Chairman’s office.
“Close the door, Henry.”
After the archer shut the door closed, the Chairman finally spoke.
“We have a leak.”
“I’m sorry?”
“There is a spy among our people.” The Chairman handed Henry a paper scroll. It was a report from the intelligence officers, claiming someone has been spying on the war meetings. There was no description of the culprit, just witness reports that a “shady” man has been seen around restricted areas.
“Find him.” The Chairman told Henry after he finished reading. “We cannot go to war until we make sure our plans are well secured.”
“Easier said than done. The report doesn’t provide any clues on who this spy might be. How I am supposed to find someone who can be…well…anyone?”
“Think of something. You’re my best man.” The Chairman stood up. “That would be all.”
Henry nodded and left the room. Think of something. Damn him. When he stepped outside the City Hall, Mark was already waiting.
“Everything all right?”
“I wish. It looks like we have an impostor.”
“How do you want to proceed?”
“Gather the squad. Tell nobody else. We’ll meet at the headquarters, I need to check something..”
“Right.” Mark hurried down the street. Training did him well. He’s a different man now. Henry walked towards the nearest inn. The innkeeper is always the most informed man. Chances are, he knows about this “spy”. When he entered, the barman was cleaning some stained bowls.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked when noticing Henry. The latter leaned across the bar and whispered: “Back door. Now.” The innkeeper didn’t say a word, but still followed Henry in the back.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“I’m looking for a certain someone. Have you noticed anyone…strange lately? Someone who doesn’t…fit in?”
“Now that you mention it…there was a man hanging around a lot recently. He comes in at dusk, drinks a beer or two and then suddenly disappears.”
“Disappears?”
“Indeed. It’s really weird…and scary. One time, he was drinking outside. When I took away his glass, he ordered another drink. When I came back, however, he was gone. All I saw was a flock of bats, flying away.”
“Bats?”
“Yeah. Like I said, weird and spooky.”
“Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”
“No problem, captain.”
Henry left the inn and went towards the City Guard Main building, where the headquarters were located. Bats. Yeah, that’s him all right. Never thought I’d meet him again, but I guess life is full of surprises. He now knew who was he dealing with, but he could not decide whether to be satisfied or worried.
Mark and his men were waiting for him in the conference room, eager to hear Henry’s instructions.
“It took you long enough, captain.” One of the guardsmen greeted him.
“It paid off,” Henry replied while sitting down “I now know who we’re dealing with. Did Mark brief you lot?”
The men nodded. “Whoever this spy is, he picked a wrong city to infiltrate.” another guard said.
“I’m afraid it won’t be so easy.”
“But you just said you know who the spy is.” The soldier looked confused.
“And that’s exactly why it won’t be easy.” Henry paused for a moment to get his men’s attention, and then continued. “They call him ‘Bat’.”
“Bat? Never heard of him.”
“Few people know about him, and that’s why he’s so successful in what he does.”
“And how do you know it’s him?” Mark asked.
Henry told them about his conversation with the innkeeper.
“Wherever he is, bats seem to be around too. Hence the nickname ‘Bat’.” He said after finishing the story.
“So, what do we do?”
The only thing we can, when it comes to him. Henry stood up and reached for his bow. “We follow the bats.”